Jesus in today’s Gospel asked his disciples “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said: “John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets.” Then He asked the next question only they could answer: “But who do you say that I am?†And again Peter, who was never without words, whether the right ones or not, gave the bonus answer for all of them: “THE MESSIAH OF GOD.†Peter gave the right answer.
My dear bothers and sisters,
Jesus is asking us today, and every one who may believe in Jesus “Who do you say that I am?â€
Some people today give answers that fall short of the whole truth about Jesus. For some, Jesus is just a teacher with beautiful ideas not popular in today’s society. Perhaps many more do not know how to answer, or perhaps try to ignore the question, hoping that it will go away.
Each person will have different way of answer. Yet there is something basic to all of us who recognize Jesus as the Messiah as our God. The more we acknowledge Him as the Messiah, as our Redeemer, the more we must deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
We know that to follow Jesus and His teaching is not easy, not popular in our society, in our families. Many times we struggle in our families to put Jesus FIRST, then us, and after that the remainder of society.
Today as we celebrate Father’s Day, let us think what our heavenly Father would like us to do. Let us think what we as His children should do to please Him. It is about recognizing Jesus for who He really is.
Today we acknowledge and recognize our earthly fathers. With their wife they are our first teacher of faith and life. Today we thank them in various ways for the dedication to our families. And again, we give them material gifts, sent them cards, which is a beautiful way to express our gratitude toward them. As the family of St. Francis parish let us give them one more thing, a prayer. Now let us please kneel down and pray with me for our fathers living and deceased:
God, you are the Father of all creation. You promised the people of Israel long life and prosperity if they would follow Your commandments. One of those commands was “honor your father and your mother.†Help us to live this commandment each day of our life.
May we honor our fathers through their life. May we remember them with gratitude for the things they has given to us, and may Your blessings be poured out upon them.
We also ask a special blessing upon our fathers and grandfathers who have gone before us. We cherish their memory and pray that they are secure in heaven with you.
Heavenly Father, source of all wisdom, give strength and hope to all who are fathers today. Grant them wisdom, courage, mercy, and the grace they need to live out this most holy calling. Give them joy and peace in You. We ask all this in Christ’s name. Amen.